200 days alcohol-free- the second thread!

[FeelingLessTired]

Hello!

1000 messages snuck up on me on the first thread!!

@Goandygo

@paintcolourchart

@88expertprocastinator

any anyone else who wishes to join or return you are MOST welcome.

The aim is 200 days AF and/or beyond. There is no judgment here and we are supportive of all of us who wish to change their relationship with alcohol.

I stopped at Day 43 and have been drinking since then but am committed to getting back on this wonderful wagon.

Look forward to the next thread with all our wonderful MNetters.

@Goandygo oh it definitely is! You are over 140 days which is pretty incredible. From the stories I’ve read online, it’s moderation that requires really hard work (yes DH I’m looking at you!) but total abstinence is mentally so much easier - no blurred lines ….

I deffo can't do moderation. Too much to and fro in my head. What a waste of mental energy!

(Now to stick with it.... )

Hi can I join? I’m on the sober October challenge thread on alcohol support but it seems to be more of a reduction/ moderation thread than abstinence. I can’t really do moderation, so here I am.

I’ve been sober 23 days now. Most of the cravings/ crazy dreams seem to have settled down a fair bit. It’s just maintaining now.

It would be amazing to be 200 days alcohol free. Hoping I get there!

@BountifulPantry of course you can, and welcome onboard !
Well done on 23 days, that's brilliant.
I hear you about the crazy dreams 🤣 - and yes to maintaining - one day at a time 💪

Welcome @BountifulPantry !

Love new joiners and lurkers and anyone who wishes to become a part of our tribe!

@BountifulPantry youve joined a great thread and have a good start to your 200 days. People here are great and the thread is pretty active - I know I posted every day at the start - so please post whenever you fancy it!

@FeelingLessTired you for sure can stick to it - we all believe that

24 days. Can’t believe it!!

That’s really good going! I found once I got over 10 days, time went really quickly! How are you managing? Do you find it fairly easy? I have no idea what you were drinking before, but i was drinking every night - at least 2-3 largish glasses with occasional heavy social drinking thrown in for good measure.

it’s been so long for me now, that I genuinely rarely consider having a drink - I’m still deciding if I will stay af forever or not - for now, I just carry on.

@BountifulPantry that's great - keep going !
@88expertprocastinator it's interesting isn't it - the going back to it. I can't see myself drinking again as I always drank to get drunk. And as I never want to be drunk again, I don't see the point.
I also see myself drinking af in Summer or on holiday. I could never see that before so I'm pleased with that mindset.
Dh asked if I'd have a glass of champagne Christmas day but I can't even see that. I'd rather have the 0% freixenet, which I really enjoy. Plus the grandchildren visit - I'd rather eat chocolate and be sober.
All good here. Not sure how many days, but approaching 150.
Brother needs a pacemaker, like my dad, so a worrying time but the NHS has been outstanding ❤️
Hope you're ok @FeelingLessTired @paintcolourchart ❤️

Sorry been a bit quiet on here but have been reading, thinking of you all and cheering you all on!

Still sober, on day 11 now (or 10 @FeelingLessTired😅). I actually just haven't had time to drink lately. Everything is full on and I just need to stay focused. Less than a month until my big submissions and exams. I wish I could tell you all what I'm doing but it's incredibly outing 😅 I don't mind anyone in this group knowing who I am IRL, but I'm just mindful that absolutely anyone can be reading this 😂 Also been scheduling in very regular walks first things with my friend, and I won't drink before those because I can't stop before I finish the bottle and no way can I be up and out first thing afterwards. I also just think about how it makes me feel the next day - sluggish, anxious and my heart definitely isn't happy the next day either. I worry one day I'll push it too far.

Also I read the other day that one glass of wine can increase a woman's oeastogen for 8+ hours. That really stuck a chord with me because my hormones/cycles have always been all over the place and we are going to start TTC again soon. I knew that alcohol could interfere with cycles but I never really understood why.

@Goandygo I know absolutely nothing about pacemakers so I'm not sure if this is good news or bad news?

@paintcolourchart well done on Day 11. You're doing great balancing everything.
I hear you about the getting up to walk. This morning I jumped out of bed for a 90 minute hike with my sister. It's raining here, so by the time I got home, I resembled Bear Grylls. But I feel great, so it's worth it.
A pace maker just regulates your heart. My dad had one, aged 55 ish. It lasted 20 years. He needed another but was too frail.
Brother's heart is enlarged etc. The pace maker is a good thing. He's been lucky.
Doctor has advised him to give up drinking but he says he can't 😪

Day 11! (or 12 @paintcolourchart )

I am so sorry about your brother @Goandygo It's so hard to watch when you KNOW it can be done, and how beneficial it would be for him. I feel for you.

Best of luck with everything @paintcolourchart . You are juggling alot. Good luck on TTC! How exciting! I am way past that stage now and feel nostalgic... it's funny though how something you read or hear sticks with you though- even though you may have heard it a number of times. I have been reading a load of stuff about healthy eating and particularly like Dr Neal Barnard and I googled what he said about alcohol just out of interest. He said there is no safe level of consumption of alcohol. Now I've heard that a thousand times- but for some reason this time it really sunk in. And when i have a yen I say to myself firmly 'There is no safe level...'

I've had an unusually social week. And have been designated driver each and every time. So that's all been fine. I think also I am losing weight but I don't plan to weigh myself until November 1st. My trousers are more baggy anyway.

Hope everyone is well. Best wishes to you all and @Goandygo I really am thinking of you and your brother.

@FeelingLessTired well done on Day 12 - you're doing great.
Hope everyone is OK. I'm still going strong. I'm going to a 60th party tomorrow and I realised the other day that I'm looking forward to not drinking and sober dancing. That's how I know I've turned a corner. Previously when I tried to give up, the thought of going Out Out would definitely derail me.
I'm off work too for 4 days - 2 lazy days and 2 busy days. Perfect 👌

Just went out for a curry and managed not to drink when my partner and friends were drinking. Miracle! Day 27 here.

Keep it up everyone.

Hello all - and to @FeelingLessTired I was on your previous thread in the summer and accidently started another one yesterday.... but have now found this one!

I'm the poster on rheumatoid drugs that affect the liver, and it will be better for me if I can abstain completely from alcohol. Haven't had any since October 14th - so that's 12 days ( and counting).

Usually I would share a bottle of wine with DH twice a week, and he would always have an extra glass compared to myself - but apparently even this is too much for my constitution/liver 🙄

I could do with the support from like-minded people.

Day 13.

hi all!

Enjoy your days off and the 60th @Goandygo !

@BountifulPantry - not sure if alcohol free drinks trigger you (they don't trigger me at all) but I really love an alcohol-free lager with curry. I had one at the pub this week and it really helped.

Great to see you again @springintoaction2 ! I remember you!! Even more of a reason to not drink- rheumatoid arthritis is just awful. . I am repeating my new mantra whenever I want to drink 'no safe level of consumption'...

I am okay here. Feeling a but low and flat the past few days but am determined to pick myself up.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

@springintoaction2 hi !
I saw your thread yesterday and remembered your situation.
Firstly, well done on 12 days and secondly, you'll get support here. I read and post most days. It keeps me on track, so here for you ❤️
@BountifulPantry that's great not drinking when others are 💪. I'm out later and others will be drinking. I think I'll be fine, but I'll take inspiration from you.
I don't think you can ever take your foot off the pedal.
@FeelingLessTired day 13 is brilliant. Keep going. I have the odd flat day but just remind myself I'd be feeling flatter if I were drinking 💪

Well, a successful evening was had by me. Though, I'm awake at this unearthly hour - reminds me of when I used to drink and I'd wake at 3am ish. God, I do not miss those times.
I had a very busy day with grandchildren yesterday. It was full on. Lots of fun, but stressful, as we took them to town. By 3pm, I sort of fancied an alcoholic drink ( and I've just realised we had proper lager in the fridge), but I'd bought af perroni. Had 3 before going out in the evening.
We left the party early to go for a meal. Nothing wrong with the party - we just think we're past it now !!
Home to hot chocolate, cheesecake and Netflix ❤️

aaah that sounds like a blissful end to the party @Goandygo ! I've never been great at parties, and usually drink hard to get myself through them. Then it's to bed and regrets. A nice (short) time at a party, a lovely meal and hot chocolate, cheesecake and netflix sounds truly joyful!

Day 14 for me. I had an urge last night while cooking dinner. (The 'cook's drink' was always a thing for me. Plus the 'eating dinner drink' and the 'any other time of day drink') . But I poached one of DH's AF lagers (Saint Etienne brand, Aldi) and that was fine. Did not even finish it actually. I have a slight cold and am thankful to be waking up today feeling muzzy from that and not a cold AND drinking too much!

Today is an at home day mostly. Ds1 is about to go into his mock GCSE exams and is in a frenzy. He very much takes after me with anxiety, perfectionism etc so keeping him on an even emotional keel is quite the task. But at least I know how he is feeling very well! Basically has no idea how well he is truly doing.... that sounds familiar!

Best wishes Tribe! 💪

Morning all, you're all doing so well!

I did give in to my urges last night. It was sort of planned rather than 'fuck it' and I didn't give in on the first day I fancied some, so that's an improvement I suppose. I'm not going to beat myself up about it because I've just got too much on atm that I feel like I don't really have the capacity to address this right now. BUT I basically can't drink from now until after my exams mid November anyway as I've got too much to do to prep for everything. I've worked out I've had 105 sober days out of the last 113, so I'm really pleased with that.

Sorry I'm a bit behind on the thread - will catch up later x

@paintcolourchart you're at a 93% success rate, so that is not to be sneezed at. You're doing brilliantly.
@FeelingLessTired well done on Day 14. I've not tried the St.Etienne so I'll look out for that.
I had a bottle of freixenet Friday night cooking dinner. Really enjoyed it. And, I ate my dinner. Had I been drinking, I wouldn't have eaten 😏

29 frickin days.

Get in.

Nice - good for you. I'm aiming for more than 4 weeks here and hopefully more

@springintoaction2 how are you finding it ?
Do you have regular check ups ?
It must be quite worrying.
All good here.
It doesn't really occur to me to drink anymore. I was out walking yesterday and that used to be a Will I, Won't I opportunity. So much so that I was always best leaving money at home. But now it's not even an issue.

@springintoaction2 i also have an inflammatory arthritis very similar to rheumatoid arthritis and am on methotrexate and Humira. Despite that my liver coped pretty well with alcohol. My liver results now I’ve quit though are absolutely fantastic so I can recommend it wholeheartedly.